Chapter 106 Getting to know him I
The nanny looked up from the paper, to the wall clock.
“It’s almost eight.”
Liam and Heaven both looked at her.
“You should read it yourself,” she told Heaven, then bent slightly to Liam’s level. “And don’t worry it’s not a bomb.”
Heaven took the paper and read.
Put on something comfortable. Getting to know me will take ALL NIGHT. Be ready at 8.
Heat rushed to her cheeks.
She glanced at the time. She had almost forgotten she’d agreed to see him.
Liam studied her face, he became worried thinking his mama was in distress.
“Mama… why are you red?”
“Don’t worry,” the nanny said lightly. “Your mama is just going on a date. And this”—she gestured to the box—“is the dress for her.”
Heaven moved closer and opened it.
Inside lay a red dress, a pair of black heels with red soles, and a matching black bag. Her breath caught. Beneath them was another smaller box.
She opened it carefully.
Inside it laid a neck piece , earrings, and a bracelet that shimmered under the lights breathtakingly beautiful She could tell they were diamonds. Real ones, if her eyes weren’t deceiving her.
Her heart skipped.
The nanny whistled. “Is he an Arab prince? Whoever he is… the man is not playing.”
Heaven got ready.
She stared at herself in the mirror, wondering what his definition of comfortable was. The gown had thin spaghetti straps, delicately embellished with rhinestones or diamonds, she couldn’t tell now but they glittered. A sweetheart neckline that followed the curve of her bust, the fabric hugged her figure before rising high on her thighs, with a two inch slit on the front left side.
She brushed her fingers over the material. It was the only comfortable thing about this dress
Even the heels fit perfectly. She wondered how he knew her size.
When she stepped out of the room, both Liam and the nanny stared, mouths open.
“I have the most beautiful mama in the world,” Liam said proudly.
Heaven blushed. “Thank you, baby.”
“You sure do,” the nanny agreed. “Come sit..I’ll help you with this.” She took the jewelry box, fastening the necklace, earrings, and bracelet with care. Then she tilted her head, unsatisfied.
“Your hair should be up. And a little lipstick just enough to brighten your face.”
She fixed her gently.
A horn sounded outside.
“I think he's here,” the nanny said.
“Thank you so much,” Heaven said softly. “I know I’ve gone past your work hours. I’ll have someone pick Liam up.”
“Don’t mention it.”
Heaven bent and kissed her son’s head. “Bye, baby. I’ll call you.”
Her palms were sweaty. Yes she was nervous.
A Rolls-Royce waited outside, its door already held open. Her heart raced as she took a deep breath and stepped out of the house.
Butterflies swarmed her stomach.
“Where is Maverick?” she asked the man holding the door.
“I’ll take you to him, ma’am. Please step in.”
Inside the car, she texted Rayan.
Please pick Liam up.
The drive was brief.
She was ushered out by someone already waiting, someone who seemed to know exactly who she was. The moment she stepped inside, she was guided into an elevator.
When it opened at the rooftop, her breath left her.
A red carpet stretched ahead, candles lining both sides. She paused as lights caught her jewelry, diamonds scattering brilliance everywhere.
A little girl approached and handed her a rose.
“From the man in black.”
“Oh…thank you,” Heaven said, flushed.
She looked around, searching for him. He was no where.
Then a young man stepped forward, offering another rose with the same words. Another followed. And another.
Soon her arms were filled.
Her heart pounded. She wanted to see him.
At the end of the carpet, he stood beside a helicopter.
Maverick was dressed in a midnight-black tuxedo, holding a single rose that seemed to steal every breath she had left.
She walked toward him, clutching the roses. His eyes devoured her, as if she were the only thing holding him together, the only light shining in the shadows within him.
She was actually.
Time felt suspended for both of them.
When she finally reached him, he handed her the last rose. She was already breathless just from the way he looked at her.
“You are all mine to behold,” he murmured. “So beautiful.”
He kissed her forehead. Then her cheek. Then her neck.
Heaven shivered and flushed deeply.
“Th-thank you,” she stuttered.
He extended his hand. She took it.
He helped her into the helicopter, and only then did the reality hit her.
“You’re flying it?” she asked, stunned.
“Yes. It would take about thirty minutes.” He buckled her seatbelt and handed her the headset.
Her mind reeled, the dress, the diamonds, the helicopter.
Who are you? she wondered.
“You can’t look away from me?” he asked softly.
She realized she’d been staring and quickly looked away.
“I just… didn’t know you could fly a helicopter.”
“Now you do,” he said, leaning closer. “And you’re going to know a lot about me. In every possible way.”
He started the helicopter.
Heaven watched as they flew over rows of houses, their lights blinking like scattered stars. Gradually, the land thinned, until the houses vanished altogether and there was nothing but endless blue beneath them, the sea stretched in every direction.
Her fingers twisted nervously together in her lap, Maverick noticed.
Without a word, he reached for her hand and squeezed gently, as if saying ‘trust me’. The tension eased from her shoulders.
Then she saw it.
A lone estate rose from the water, land carved neatly out of the sea, the lights glowed warmly against the dark. Maverick began lowering the helicopter, smooth and controlled, until it touched down.
“We’re here,” he said.
He stepped out first, then turned to her. This time he didn’t offer his hand; he lifted her by the waist, setting her down with care.
“Where is this?” Heaven asked, still catching her breath.
An attendant approached and quietly took the roses from her arms.
She looked around.
It was breathtaking. A table for two stood near the water’s edge, draped in white linen and adorned with fresh flowers, candles flickering softly in the night breeze. The ocean surrounded them like a private world.
“A private island,” Maverick said casually.
He pulled out a chair for her. She sat, still trying to process it all, and he walked around the table to take his seat.
His gaze lingered on her, slow and unapologetic.
“The dress looks so comfortable on you.”